Report to:

Justin Bloomfield –Parking Lead Officer

Date:

17^th May 2023

Report of:

Norma Adjepong –Traffic Engineer

THE BOROUGH OF WATFORD

THE MEADOWS, WATFORD, (NO WAITING AT ANY TIME),

ORDER 2023

1.0

SUMMARY

1.1

The purpose of this report is:

1.1.1

To inform the Parking Lead Officer of comments and objections received following the statutory consultation process which was carried out between the 3^rd and 24^th February 2023 and; 

1.1.2

To seek authorisation from the Parking Lead Officer to implement the above titled traffic order, by publishing the “Notice of Making”, procuring the sign and line works associated with the proposals, and sealing the Traffic Regulation Order. 

2.0

RECOMMENDATIONS

2.1

That the Parking Lead Officer authorises all the actions as described in paragraphs 1.1.2 above.

3.0

BACKGROUND

3.1

3.2

3.3

3.4

3.5

3.6

4.0

4.1

5.0

6.0

The proposal for additional no waiting at any time waiting restrictions, is due to the proposed new residential development on The Meadows, which is located on land on the south eastern corner of the road.

Planning approval (22/00216/FUL) has been granted for a development of 9 residential dwellings in a new cul-de-sac on the land located south of the Meriden Surgery, off The Meadows. This also includes the construction of a new junction access from The Meadows to the development.

During the planning application stages, Veolia and Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service raised a concern about large vehicles getting into and out of the cul-de-sac as a result of cars parking around or near the proposed junction on The Meadows which would restrict their access. This is due to the access road for the new development joining The Meadows being so close to the point where there is a 90-degree bend in the road.

Proposals have been agreed with the planning departments of Hertfordshire County Council, Watford Borough Council and the developer that in order to provide safe access and egress to the development, the existing No Waiting At Any Time located around the bend on The Meadows would need to be extended northwards on both sides of the carriageway. This is to ensure adequate visibility and turning radius, (especially for larger vehicles), can be achieved for the new access road.  

Under the Unilateral Undertaking Agreement, HCC are content that the TRO will be progressed by Watford Borough Council, on behalf of the developers.

Site Location

The Meadows is located within the Meriden Estate which is densely residential in nature. The Meadows is off Harvest End and goes round a property development in a “u-shape”. All the properties, which are mostly town houses, have access to a designated off road parking facility at the back on their properties.

There are currently minimal waiting restrictions on The Meadows, with only a short section of No waiting at any time restriction present around the access to the surgery and around the section where the road bends sharply. The rest of the carriageway is unrestricted which allows residents/visitors to the surgery to park at any time and for any length of time.

The proposal for additional no waiting at any time will remove approximately 4-5 car spaces from the western kerb side, and approximately 5 cars spaces on the eastern side (with capacity based on a car length of 5.25 metres). The Surgery benefits from off road private car park, and the reminder of Harvest End and The Meadows will remain unrestricted for parking.

Councillor Consultation

The proposal (Annex A) has been shared with Ward Councillors their information and they had no comments to make.

Statutory Consultation

The statutory consultation was carried out between the 3^rd and 24^th February 2023. This involved posting a plan and letter (see Annex A) to all properties in close proximity including the Doctors Surgery adjacent to the site. On street notices were erected, and the notice was published in the Watford Observer and on the Watford Borough Council website. Statutory consultees were also informed of the proposals. Feedback from the statutory consultation was shared with Ward Councillors, for their consideration, along with officer comments and recommendations.

2 responses were received to the Statutory Consultation out of the 7 addresses that were sent the consultation material and both responses were objections to the proposals: Refer to Table 1 below

Table 1: The full response can be seen in Annex B.

Whilst it is acknowoldged there will be a loss of on street parking provision, properties opposite the site and the Doctors Surgery have off street parking facilities

In additon to ensuring that safe acces/egress can be made to the developement site, the proposed restrictions will ensure improvements in visibility for vehicles travelling along The Meadows, around what is the near 90 degree bend. As the restirctions have been proposed in the interest of road safety and requested by the emergency services, it is therfore considered that the objections should be overruled and the restrictions be implemented as advertised . 

PROPOSALS

It is therefore proposed that the TRO as shown in draft format in Annex C be implemented as advertised, and objectors advised of the decision by letter.

IMPLICATIONS

6.1

Financial

The cost of the schemes is estimated at £850 for the legal advertising. Cost to implement the lining changes is £2,000.

6.2

It has been confirmed there is a sufficient budget in BEA004 B0908 to undertake the works associated with this project.

Legal Issues (Monitoring Officer)

Watford Borough Council has been given delegated authority to make traffic regulation orders and implement proposals to manage parking on public highways and other roads, pursuant to arrangements made under Section 19 of the Local Government Act 2000 and the Local Government (Arrangement for discharge of Functions) (England) Regulations 2012 with Hertfordshire County Council, and is exercising the powers conferred on it under Section 1, 2 ,3 and 4 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (which said Act of 1984 is hereinafter referred to as “the 1984 Act”) and of all other enabling powers.       

6.3

Equalities

6.3.1

This scheme aims to improve accessibility and road safety for emergency and waste vehicles and other road users with large vehicles thus paying regard to the council’s duty according to the Equality Act 2010 as set out below.

Under section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, the ‘general duty’ on public authorities is set out as follows:

A public authority must, in the exercise of its functions, have due regard to the need to -

• eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under this Act;
• advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it;
• foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.

The impact of the waiting restrictions, would not discriminate against certain persons or groups, as all properties benefit from having off street parking. The provision of No Waiting At Any Time does not cover a loading ban, therefore loading would still be able to take place, and blue badge holders would be able to park here for 4 hours, as per the national guidance.

Areas of on street parking provision would still be maintained on The Meadows.

Consideration has been given to any impact on certain parties, and it is considered there would be no negative impact on specific groups, as the proposals are being promoted on improved accessibility and road safety grounds. The council has not been made aware during statutory consultation process, of any specific groups that have raised concern.

7.0

Potential Risks

7.1

Potential Risk

Likelihood

Impact

Overall score

Local residents may perceive the waiting restrictions as an unnecessary imposition by the Council.

2

1

3

Failure to implement the waiting restrictions will compromise the access to the new development.

2

1

3